Dual sensor film scanner having coupled optics and a video viewfinder

Abstract

A film image retrieval and scanning apparatus having split first and second optical paths with each optical path being precisely aligned with the other, and each path containing coupled zoom optics. The first path projects a film image onto a first scanner array in the first path to provide a real time display of the image on a TV monitor. The second optical path projects an image onto a second scanner array, which may have a higher resolution than the first array to provide an analog signal that is converted to a digital signal of the image that may be stored, or transmitted on a network, or both. The first scanner provides a real time image and serves as a viewfinder that can be used to locate the proper position of an image; thus ensuring that the image will be aligned with the second array so that it can be scanned by the second scanner array when desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an electronic scanning apparatus including means for projecting a selected image from a medium located in the film plane and bearing plural images, said apparatus including means for orienting the medium at each of a plurality of image-projecting positions, the improvement comprising: means for illuminating and projecting a selected one of said plural images;   a two dimensional array of light sensitive elements have a first output;   a linear array of light sensitive elements having a second output;   means for directing at least a portion of the light of said selected image onto each array;   display means for displaying the output of the two dimensional array for initially viewing said image; and   selecting the sensitivity of the light sensitive elements in each of the arrays such that their sensitivity which corresponds to the amount of light falling thereon, is such that the output of a light sensitive element in one array can be used to predict the corresponding output of the light sensitive elements in the other array based on the selected sensitivities.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first output is an analog signal. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second output is a digital signal. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said medium is movable in orthogonal directions. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the output of said two-dimensional array is used to measure exposure and control said illuminating and projecting means. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including zoom optics means in the optical path of each array in which said zoom optics means comprises two zoom lenses coupled together to move in synchronism with each other so as to provide the same magnification, with one zoom lens located in the respective path for said each array. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linear array of light sensitive elements scans in a first direction and is movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to said first direction of scan. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein; a zoom lens located in said first optical path has a lower magnification wherein said projected image substantially covers said two-dimensional array. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said zoom lenses further include a pair of servo motors coupled to respective zoom lenses to vary the magnification of the zoom lenses.